Who Are We? | Committee Series | Kim Everett
Here at the Clipper City Co-op we strive to be open and welcoming. The "Who Are We? Committee Series" shares information about each of the Committee Members.
After moving to Manitowoc County, from Chicago, I was looking for a unique, small town, community orientated place to live -- a place where small businesses are owned by community members. For the most part, I found that, but what was missing, was year round access to the bounty of agriculure and good food, which defines a great deal of the county. More and more Manitowoc County farmers sell directly to consumers from roadside stands, farmer’s markets, auctions and pick-your-own operations. It's time for them to have a year round place to sell directly to consumers, a community owned local market.
Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace, or worse, they don't make our community, their destination, because there's nothing unique about Manitwooc County.
What a perfect solution to providing local, fresh, healthy food to the Community, while providing a social hub of activity, and a uniquely Manitwooc business for tourism, but a Cooperative, Community Owned grocery store, where our local producers can bring farm fresh food and expertly crafted goods to market. Where neighbors can meet neighbors and vistors get a taste of the awesomeness of Manitowoc County. Where local jobs, sustain families and communities. were good food, brings families together around the dinner table. A place there the unique craftsmen and women of our local small businesses can be spotlighted and shared in one great place; owned and managed, by the community.
I'm a true believer in local small business, driving local ecomoies, sustaining jobs and providing the best of local culture, food and crafts. I joined the Clipper City Co-op steering commitee, so I could help my new community thrive and strive to be the best it could be. To bring all that is great about the Lakeshore, to the community and to visitors, venturing out to find, something unique and wonderful in N.E. Wisconsin.
I knew that my enthusiasm for small business, coupled with my skills and 40 years of experience in accounting and tax, could assit the other visionaries, and foodies of the steering committee; together, we'd bring this dream of a local food co-op, to reality. We're a diverse team of volunteer professionals, eager to bring farm, fresh, healthy, local food to market -- specifially to a community owned cooperative form of business. A business, inspired, created and managed by the visions and talents of our community members and owners.
Together, with foodies, business managers, entrapaneers and community enthusists, as well as our "friends of the Co-op", we're all working hard and thrilled to be involved in this community endeavor, and we're hoping you are too, and will join us.
